Pixel 10 - Satellite message with GrapheneOS

blt

Hi,
I am about to buy a Pixel 10 Pro to use GrapheneOS (I am using LineageOS for a long time and I am very curious to test GrapheneOS).
I have read that Satellite message ( NB-NTN ) is using the stock Message app, but is there anything which would prevents this to work on GOS ?

Thanks

antonba

I got the Pixel 10 Pro, installed GrapheneOS, and also have T-Satellite enabled. Hoping to go on a hike this Saturday and see if T-Sat actually works. IMO, it should - it's basically a roaming connection. Should report back if I manage to do the trip.

blt

Hi ! can you check something for me so we can compare.

Go to Settings -> Network and Internet -> Either SIMs or Internet -> Clic on your mobile operatore name

You should see like me a Satellite section but it is blank for me.
A friend has a stock Pixel (no GOS) and this session has all the options available.

So either it needs Google Message App to work, or something is missing in GOS ?

antonba

I do have it and it indicates I do have satellite service:

Too bad I can't easily upload a screenshot here, so I had to OCR it:

T-Mobile -> Satellite -> Satellite connectivity:

Section: About satellite connectivity

You can send and receive text messages over satellite with an eligible T-Mobile account
Section: Your T-Mobile account
✓ Messaging is included with your account
✓ Use of supported apps is included with your account

Section: How it works

When you don’t have a mobile or Wi-Fi network
▲ Your phone will auto-connect to a satellite. For the best connection, keep a clear view of the sky.
After your phone connects to a satellite
📡 You can text anyone, including emergency services, and use supported apps. Your phone will reconnect to a mobile network when available.

Section: Supported apps on your phone
(With navigation arrows and dots indicating a carousel or list)

Supported apps on your phone:
WhatsApp
Maps (Google)
Google Play services
Messages (Google)
AllTrails

(these are the ones I have installed)

blt

antonba

antonba many thanks for all of that, it seems promising then and so you don't have Google Messaging App installed ? Let us know after your road in the montains 🏔 I hope that this will be then activated even if it is supposed to be already..

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

antonba Supported apps on your phone

Will they work via VPN?

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

antonba When you don’t have a mobile or Wi-Fi network

Is it possible to permanently use satellite connection regardless of regular coverage?

blt

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e It is not data but SMS

antonba

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e If they do network-level IP-based filtering, then VPN will not work.

blt

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e no it is only when there is no coverage

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

blt What exactly imposes the restriction? Is it defined within the modem or somewhere else?

antonba

blt It is data. I covered this in another message. They support WhatsApp video calls in fact. All of the apps I listed above will get data over satellite.

antonba

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e Restrictions are most likely on the network level at Starlink unblocking IP address ranges or domains of the allowed apps. Only a guess, though.

blt

antonba you have been quicker ! I went back here to correct my previous message as indeed they seem to support WhatsApp! (I am not using so I didn't pay attention)

antonba

Will be a bit terse as stupid me slipped on ice and landed on my hands... luckily nothing broken it seems.

Satellite worked! Was so amazing. Even in the car before going out for the hike, it connected. A little satellite replaced the network bars. Got an SMS from T-Mobile that I connected to satellite. Google Maps notified me "Using satellite network" with some low perf warnings.

I was able to send WhatsApp messages and photos and ultimately made a short voice call. At that point was in a deep forest with no clear sight of the sky and was walking and it worked poorly but still worked. Insane to think I have a GrapheneOS satphone now!

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e

antonba Google Maps notified me "Using satellite network" with some low perf warnings.

Does the SAT mode work without GMS as well?

antonba

dc32f0cfe84def651e0e I now have Google Play Services on the main and only profile so I always had them on. I suppose I could create a whole new user profile next time I get to be out, but I think that will be a while (getting injured, even if I am hoping for a quick recovery, warrants care so I don't re-injure too quickly).

But if I had to guess, I think it would work. I think connecting to Starlink is no different than connecting to a roaming partner.

blt

@antonba could you tell me if you had ever used your Pixel 10 Pro with your T Mobile SIM in stock before going to GOS ?
I am wondering if there is some kind of onboarding and perhaps on my side the Satellite is not working as the minute I received my P10 I installed GOS so my SIM never been used with Pixel Stock OS.. I know for some phone/alternative OS it was an issue for IMS/LTE in the past, not sure for GOS, and as Satellite is new I don't know if some similar things are used by mobile operators..